Tag Archives: Basic

Are you interested in setting up your own home or office photography studio? If so, you’ve probably found out that it can be pretty tricky to decide which photo studio equipment you really need. The primary components of a good photo studio are the background, lighting, the camera, plus props and film if you won’t be shooting digitally. Here’s a look at some of the basics.

A good background is extremely important as basic photo studio equipment, since it can be a good complement to your subject, or a real problem. Plain backgrounds, such as seamless paper, are usually preferred. Stick with white as a basic choice, though blue, gray and black are also good. Muslin can also work. When you’re going to roll the background paper to the floor, make sure there’s a smooth curve that will eliminate harsh horizontals. Consider putting paper or tape on the bottom of human models shoes to keep the paper clean. Muslin backgrounds are made of light cotton, can be draped, and have more texture than paper.

Lighting is next most important. You’ll need a minimum of two lights – one for direct lighting and a softer light to prevent harshness. A third light is extremely common. This can be used to edge light the subject, preventing it from blending into the background. Most people start with flood lights, also called hot lights (and they are quite hot!) They cost less and work well with just about any camera. The heat can be uncomfortable, however, and basic fire safety needs to be followed. The bulbs are incandescent, so they need to be replaced fairly often.

Another popular type of lighting used as basic photo studio equipment is the strobe. These flash when you take a picture. Digital cameras are usually connected directly to your studio strobes to signal them to work. If this is not possible, choose strobes equipped with a light sensor that will set them off when the camera flashes. Make sure your camera does not use a pre-flash if you’re going to be using this method, however. It can set your strobes off too early.

A simple chair and some other props are appropriate if you’ll be using mostly human models, but aren’t necessary if you’ll be photographing mostly objects. Choose the camera that’s best suited to your subjects. If you’ll mostly need to take photos of small objects, a camera with good macro settings should be part of your basic photo studio equipment. Most professionals use SLR cameras instead of automatics, since this allows for manual adjustment. However, you should work with the tools you feel most comfortable using.

These are just the basics when it comes to photo studio equipment. There are lots of other options out there, and as you take pictures, you’ll find out which ones are best for you. The best thing you can do is to get started!

When shopping for photo studio equipment there are lighting kits available that are all in one’s to help get you started easily. These lighting kits will often come in the form of continuous lighting which means the scene is always lit in cool to the touch fluorescent light kits with all the lights that you need including a muslin backdrop. There are also stroble flash kits available as well if you’re going to be using an SLR camera that can allow you to sync your lens with the flash. The original “hot lights” or halogen lighting kits are continuous photo lighting kits like fluorescent is but produce a lot of heat and are not nearly as economical to operate as the cool running fluorescent kits are. For photographers just starting out, continuous lighting either in the forms of fluorescent or halogen lights are the easiest type of lighting to work with, simply turn them on and you are free to begin shooting.

Oil painting is one of the most beautiful forms of artistic expression. It is also a very popular hobby for those seeking relaxation, precision, and something fun to do.

When it comes down to it, it does not matter how diligent you may be in precise control of each brush stroke-the outcome is going to be affected by the surface of the painting. The texture of the surface is a major determinant in control of the paint, and clarity of the finished product.

Clarity is also a function of the distance between the viewer and the piece of art. There is a point of diminishing returns, but in general, the greater the distance the more likely the viewer will perceive the intended objective of the artist.

In this way, the viewer actually fills in details that do not exist in the painting itself. A rough textured painting surface, in this instance, can actually be used to enhance the artist’s intended outcome.

This completely goes against the methods employed by the ‘Old Masters’ who used an extremely smooth painting surface so as to negate any interference of the painting surface on the intended outcome.

Even in our modern pieces of painted art, any artist attempting to do a lifelike portrait will first prepare the surface to a glass-like finish. However, this style has evolved over time, allowing the viewer to observe the actual strokes of the brush.

It is this lighting and the use of short, imprecise strokes that can produce an impression of a landscape, or a person. Much of the history of oil painting can become a confusing morass of oil painting nonsense.

If you wish to get started in this venture yourself, you need to understand and master the basics. You do not have to decide what school of thought should direct your painting.

Consider your personal point of view, and allow yourself to create from this stand point. Give yourself plenty of time to learn, through trial and error.

Most beginners simply want to reproduce in a painting something from their environment. This is a good place to start.

The only thing you need to consider is the level of clarity you want to achieve in your painting. For optimal clarity, use a very smooth painting surface, or canvas.

Clarity can also be achieved by recreating your own piece. If you start with a precise sketch of the subject matter, you will increase your chances of achieving your goal.

Begin by sketching with a pencil. This is a good way to start, though it will not achieve the lighting and brush strokes you want.

Let your first attempt with oils be the sketch; then on a new surface re-do the painting. Do not keep applying paint over paint-this will obscure clarity.

If clarity is not something you are seeking, then by all means slap on the paint in as many layers as you see fit. One way to achieve an impression of a landscape (such as tree leaves and grass) is to use a fan brush, painting wet on wet.

It is easy to do once you understand how to hold the brush and apply the color. Do not let the brush linger.

Use quick snaps both on and off with the tip of your instrument. Avoid changing the angle as you go.

About the worst place for a beginner to start painting is on canvas. Most of what you are likely to purchase will be a low grade canvas with a rough surface, having a pre-primed coating of Gesso.

The pre-prime is not enough to give you a smooth surface, and applying Gesso is an art form in itself. Purchase a clear sheet of acrylic or Plexiglas from a hardware store.

You do not need to apply any Gesso to the surface, but you must prepare the back of the panel with at least two light coats. Then, spray paint with an oil based primer to eliminate transparency.

What you need to do is sand the acrylic sheet with one hundred and twenty grit sandpaper. Using an orbital sander makes this very easy and painless.

The purpose of the sanding is to enhance the mechanical adhesion of the oil-based paint to the acrylic panel. Now that you know how the basics work, you can get started with your creation.

Tommy Greene is an art salesman. He has been selling for more then 15 years. He recommends Greg Olsen Artist for high quality art pieces.

It will be confusing on where to start when Beginning out with basic Spanish. There are some things to think about to urge started.

Things You will Want:

* Basic Spanish grammar books

* an web affiliation

* CD or mp3 player and DVD player

Firstly, it is wise to spot simply how much time you’ve got to devote to learning Spanish. Do you’ve got one hour per evening or one per week? Be realistic with goals, if one hour every week is what is out there then be precise and clear regarding what you wish to learn. Structure your learning and be versatile with learning methods. Try not to stay to one, be creative to keep up motivation.

Notice smart basic books on Spanish grammar, verbs and vocabulary. Begin by reading through the essential rules of the language like how to mention ‘I’, you, he, she etc. These are referred to as subject pronouns. It would be tough to say ‘I’ve got eaten already’ without the ‘I’. To begin speaking and understanding any language then a basic knowledge of verbs is required. Take time to acquaint yourself with these, verbs like to talk, to eat, to go, to sleep, to remain, to run, to scan, to walk etc. Of courses there are too several to mention but when learning anything new then a sensible foundation is needed.

Realize audio courses that will give the benefit of teaching conversational Spanish, for instance you may learn how to shop for food in Spain, very necessary I think. Different examples would be a way to introduce yourself to others, raise queries such as ‘Where does one return from?’ ‘How recent are you?’ Not only do audio courses facilitate with expanding vocabulary they conjointly facilitate to tune your ears into the language, aiding pronunciation skills.

Go on-line to find free basic Spanish courses. Several free lessons embrace audio, video and written exercises to assist with learning. Most offer a subscription primarily based membership for those who wish to take their learning even further to intermediate or advanced level.

A non-public tutor or a night category is often an wonderful means to learn. With private tutoring then lessons are structured specifically to your own wants and one to one suits some additional than others. With group lessons it provides lots of scope to create new friends with the same goal and find people to follow with.

Attempt being attentive to Spanish as a lot of as you can. With the explosion of the net it is now doable to tune into Spanish radio in real time or subscribe to Spanish TV. There are quite a few choices to try and do this, the bulk are free. Language exchange is something that heaps of individuals learning foreign languages are using, all that is required is an internet connection and a microphone/headset. It is simple to register for language exchange, be a part of up with a username and password and off you go. Most people learning Spanish find a native Spaniard who is wishing to enhance their English thus both parties are happy.

Watch Spanish movies as a lot of as you’ll, though it can appear very quick in the start, once more it helps with tuning the ear and pronunciation. The subtitles are a great help also. Finally, fancy yourself and have fun. The additional fun we have a tendency to have the a lot of we learn. Continually remember that it takes time to find out any new language, Spanish is no different.

There is a joke in Buddhist circles: “Don’t just dosomething, sit there.”

What is Meditation?

Meditation is how we train in continuous awareness. It is also how we train in letting go. Meditating might not appear to be very exciting or productive, but try it and give inner peace a chance.

Meditation is a truly transformative spiritual exercise. Beginning meditators do not always connect the simplicity of what they are doing to the essence of the spiritual search, but it is all there to be discovered by those who try it. The Dzogchen teachings of Tibet say one moment of total awareness is one moment of perfect freedom and enlightenment. You do not need to seek elsewhere; it is all within.

The Practice:

Begin your meditation practice in a place that is quiet and free of distraction. Sit comfortably with your back erect. Stay alert and yet relaxed and at ease. This begins the training in mindfulness, or in cultivating heightened consciousness and awareness.

Begin breathing in and out through you nostrils.

Mindfully breath in, mindfully breath out.

Let go of the natural flow of energy and breathing, and learn to simply let it be.

Pay close attention to each and every inhalation and exhalation, following the breath – the object of your attention, all the way in and all the way out.

What is the Purpose of Practicing Meditation?

Breath awareness practice may not seem immediately productive, but give it a chance. Some spiritual masters make it their primary practice throughout their entire lives. Mindfulness of breathing is the basic mediation practice, and yet it has the power to reach and enhance all levels of consciousness.

It may appear simple, but even so it works on all levels of the path and it is certainly not just for beginners.

It may not be immediately apparent, but to be totally in the moment, which is what meditation requires, means relinquishing the past, the future, and the dualism that makes a distinction between self and others. This is the essence of letting go.